Method, system and computer program product for receiving information from a user

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application claims priority to: (a) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/545,833, filed Oct. 11, 2011, entitled CUSTOM KEYPADS FOR EDUCATION, naming Sajjad Mahmood Khan et al. as inventors; (b) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/592,961, filed Jan. 31, 2012, entitled CUSTOM KEYPADS FOR EDUCATION, naming Sajjad Mahmood Khan et al. as inventors; and (c) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/623,837, filed Apr. 13, 2012, entitled CUSTOM KEYPADS FOR EDUCATION, naming Sajjad Mahmood Khan et al. as inventors. All of the above-identified applications are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

0002The disclosures herein relate in general to information handling systems, and in particular to a method, system and computer program product for receiving information from a user.

0003An electronics device may include a touchscreen for receiving information from a user. By operating virtual keys of the touchscreen, the user specifies information (e.g., alphanumeric text information) to the electronics device. However, if too many keys are simultaneously displayed by the touchscreen, then such keys may interfere with efficient use of displayable space on the touchscreen. Conversely, if an insufficient number of keys are simultaneously displayed by the touchscreen, then operation of the electronics device may be too cumbersome or restricted.

SUMMARY

0004A window is displayed on a display device. The window includes at least first and second portions thereof. In response to a user selecting the first portion of the window on the display device, a first set of keys are displayed on the display device. The first set of keys are operable by the user to specify a first type of information within the first portion of the window. In response to the user selecting the second portion of the window on the display device, a second set of keys are displayed on the display device. The second set of keys are operable by the user to specify a second type of information within the second portion of the window. The second type of information includes at least some information that is unsupported by operation of the first set of keys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0005<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top view of an information handling system of the illustrative embodiments.

0006<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram of a first example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a diagram of a second example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a diagram of a third example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram of a fourth example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram of a fifth example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram of a sixth example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a diagram of a seventh example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram of an eighth example screen that is displayed by the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flowchart of a first operation of the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart of a second operation of the system of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top view of an information handling system (e.g., a portable handheld electronics device, such as a tablet computing device, a mobile smartphone, a netbook computer, a laptop computer, or a graphing calculator), indicated generally at <b>100</b>, of the illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the system <b>100</b> executes various processes and performs operations (e.g., processing, displaying and otherwise communicating information) in response thereto. The system <b>100</b> includes a display device <b>102</b> for displaying and receiving information.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a block diagram of the system <b>100</b>. The system <b>100</b> includes various electronic circuitry components for performing the system <b>100</b> operations, implemented in a suitable combination of software, firmware and hardware. Such components include: (a) a processor <b>202</b>, which is a general purpose computational resource for executing instructions of computer-readable software programs to process data (e.g., a database of information) and perform additional operations (e.g., communicating information) in response thereto; (b) a network interface unit <b>204</b> for communicating information to and from a network; (c) a computer-readable medium <b>206</b> for storing information, such as a nonvolatile storage device and/or a random access memory (“RAM”) device; (d) a battery <b>208</b>, which is a source of power for the system <b>100</b>; (e) the display device <b>102</b> for displaying information to a human user <b>210</b> and for receiving information from the user <b>210</b>; and (f) other electronic circuitry for performing additional operations. In the illustrative embodiments, the various electronic circuitry components of the system <b>100</b> are housed integrally with one another.

0019Accordingly, the system <b>100</b> performs its operations in response to instructions of computer-readable software programs, which are stored on the computer-readable medium <b>206</b>. Such programs include, but are not limited to: (a) applications, such as applications for word processing, calculator, data collection, lists, statistics, graphing, geometry, querying, polling (e.g., quick polling), and various other functions; (b) a window, dialog and event manager; (c) a settings manager; (d) a power manager; (e) a communication stack; (f) a display driver; (g) a touchpad driver; (h) a universal serial bus (“USB”) interface driver; (i) a wireless interface driver; and (j) boot code. Also, the computer-readable medium <b>206</b> stores data that are processed by the processor <b>202</b>, in response to the processor <b>202</b> executing such programs.

0020As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the processor <b>202</b> is connected to the display device <b>102</b>, the computer-readable medium <b>206</b>, and the battery <b>208</b>. For clarity, although <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows the battery <b>208</b> connected to only the processor <b>202</b>, the battery <b>208</b> is further coupled to various other components of the system <b>100</b>. Also, the processor <b>202</b> is coupled through the network interface unit <b>204</b> to the network (not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>), such as a Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) network (e.g., the Internet or an intranet). For example, the network interface unit <b>204</b> communicates information by outputting information to, and receiving information from, the processor <b>202</b> and the network, such as by transferring information (e.g. instructions, data, signals) between the processor <b>202</b> and the network (e.g., wirelessly or through a USB interface).

0021The system <b>100</b> operates in association with the user <b>210</b>. In response to signals from the processor <b>202</b>, the display device <b>102</b> displays visual images, which represent information, so that the user <b>210</b> is thereby enabled to view the visual images. Also, in the illustrative embodiments, the display device <b>102</b> is a touchscreen, such as: (a) a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device; and (b) touch-sensitive circuitry of such LCD device, so that the touch-sensitive circuitry is integral with such LCD device. Accordingly, the user <b>210</b> operates the display device <b>102</b> (e.g., virtual keys thereof, such as a virtual keyboard and/or virtual keypad) for specifying information (e.g., alphanumeric text information) to the processor <b>202</b>, which receives such information from the display device <b>102</b>.

0022For example, referring also to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the display device <b>102</b>: (a) detects presence and location of a physical touch (e.g., by a finger of the user <b>210</b>, and/or by a passive stylus object) within a display area of such touchscreen; and (b) in response thereto, outputs signals (indicative of such detected presence and location) to the processor <b>202</b>. In that manner, the user <b>210</b> can touch (e.g., single tap and/or double tap) the display device <b>114</b> to: (a) select a portion (e.g., region) of a visual image that is then-currently displayed by the display device <b>114</b>; and/or (b) cause the display device <b>102</b> to output various information to the processor <b>202</b>.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a diagram of a first example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>: (a) the processor <b>202</b> executes a computer-readable software program that includes applications for education; (b) such program is stored on the computer-readable medium <b>206</b>; and (c) in response to instructions of such program, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display icons of various windows. Examples of such icons are shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, including icons for help, algebra, spreadsheets, geometry, area formulas, modeling, maximize area, and calculations.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a diagram of a second example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the maximize area window by selecting the icon (in the first example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>) for such window, such as by touching (e.g., double tapping) the icon on the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display the selected window for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the processor <b>202</b> initially causes the display device <b>102</b> to display the selected window without virtual keys (e.g., without a virtual keyboard and/or virtual keypad), so that the user <b>210</b> is thereby enabled to view more of the selected window, including: (a) a text portion <b>402</b> (within a first subwindow) of the selected window; and (b) a graphics portion <b>404</b> (within a second subwindow) of the selected window. Accordingly, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the display device <b>102</b> simultaneously displays the text portion <b>402</b> and the graphics portion <b>404</b>.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a diagram of a third example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the text portion <b>402</b> of the maximize area window, such as by touching (e.g., single tapping) the text portion <b>402</b> on the display device <b>102</b> (in the second example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>); and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display keys (e.g., a virtual keyboard) <b>502</b> associated with the selected text portion <b>402</b> for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the keys <b>502</b> occupy space (on the display device <b>102</b>) that was previously occupied by the graphics portion <b>404</b>. The set of keys <b>502</b> (e.g., QWERTY keys) are suitable for the user <b>210</b> to touch (e.g., single tap) for composing and revising alphanumeric text information within the text portion <b>402</b>. In that manner, the user <b>210</b> operates the keys <b>502</b> for specifying information to the processor <b>202</b>, which: (a) receives such information from the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, causes the display device <b>102</b> to update the displayed screen in accordance with such information, and causes the computer-readable medium <b>206</b> to store a record of such update. Accordingly, in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting (e.g., single tapping) one of the keys <b>502</b>, the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a diagram of a fourth example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the graphics portion <b>404</b> of the maximize area window, such as by touching (e.g., single tapping) the graphics portion <b>404</b> on the display device <b>102</b> (in the second example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>); and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display keys (e.g., a virtual keypad) <b>602</b> associated with the selected graphics portion <b>404</b> for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>: (a) the graphics portion <b>404</b> occupies space (on the display device <b>102</b>) that was previously occupied by the text portion <b>402</b>; and (b) the keys <b>602</b> occupy space (on the display device <b>102</b>) that was previously occupied by the graphics portion <b>404</b>. The set of keys <b>602</b> (e.g., numeric keys and calculator function keys) are suitable for the user <b>210</b> to touch (e.g., single tap) for composing and revising graphics information within the graphics portion <b>404</b>, including at least some graphics information that is unsupported by operation of the keys <b>502</b>. In that manner, the user <b>210</b> operates the keys <b>602</b> for specifying information to the processor <b>202</b>, which: (a) receives such information from the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, causes the display device <b>102</b> to update the displayed screen in accordance with such information, and causes the computer-readable medium <b>206</b> to store a record of such update. Accordingly, in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting (e.g., single tapping) one of the keys <b>602</b>, the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a diagram of a fifth example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the calculations window by selecting the icon (in the first example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>) for such window, such as by touching (e.g., double tapping) the icon on the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display the selected window for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the processor <b>202</b> initially causes the display device <b>102</b> to display the selected window without virtual keys (e.g., without a virtual keyboard and/or virtual keypad), so that the user <b>210</b> is thereby enabled to view more of the selected window, including: (a) an equation portion, indicated by dashed enclosure <b>702</b>, of the selected window; and (b) a remaining (e.g., text) portion of the selected window. Accordingly, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the display device <b>102</b> simultaneously displays the equation portion <b>702</b> and the remaining (e.g., text) portion. Moreover, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the equation portion <b>702</b> is nested within the remaining (e.g., text) portion.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a diagram of a sixth example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the remaining (e.g., text) portion of the calculations window, such as by touching (e.g., single tapping) the remaining (e.g., text) portion on the display device <b>102</b> (in the fifth example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>); and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display keys (e.g., a virtual keyboard) <b>802</b> associated with the remaining (e.g., text) portion for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. The set of keys <b>802</b> (e.g., QWERTY keys) are suitable for the user <b>210</b> to touch (e.g., single tap) for composing and revising alphanumeric text information within the remaining (e.g., text) portion. In that manner, the user <b>210</b> operates the keys <b>802</b> for specifying information to the processor <b>202</b>, which: (a) receives such information from the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, causes the display device <b>102</b> to update the displayed screen in accordance with such information, and causes the computer-readable medium <b>206</b> to store a record of such update. Accordingly, in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting (e.g., single tapping) one of the keys <b>802</b>, the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a diagram of a seventh example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected the equation portion <b>702</b> of the calculations window, such as by touching (e.g., single tapping) the equation portion <b>702</b> on the display device <b>102</b> (in the fifth example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> or in the sixth example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>); and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display keys (e.g., a virtual keypad) <b>902</b> associated with the selected equation portion <b>702</b> for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. The set of keys <b>902</b> (e.g., numeric keys and calculator function keys) are suitable for the user <b>210</b> to touch (e.g., single tap) for composing and revising equation information within the equation portion <b>702</b>, including at least some equation information that is unsupported by operation of the keys <b>802</b>. In that manner, the user <b>210</b> operates the keys <b>902</b> for specifying information to the processor <b>202</b>, which: (a) receives such information from the display device <b>102</b>; and (b) in response thereto, causes the display device <b>102</b> to update the displayed screen in accordance with such information, and causes the computer-readable medium <b>206</b> to store a record of such update. Accordingly, in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting (e.g., single tapping) one of the keys <b>902</b>, the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram of an eighth example screen that is displayed by the system <b>100</b>. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>: (a) the user <b>210</b> has selected a sine key (“sin”) of the keys <b>902</b> in a particular manner, such as by prolonged touching (e.g., continuously for a 1-second period) the sine key on the display device <b>102</b> (in the seventh example screen of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>); and (b) in response thereto, the processor <b>202</b> causes the display device <b>102</b> to display additional keys <b>1002</b> associated with the sine key for viewing (on the display device <b>102</b>) by the user <b>210</b>. The set of additional keys <b>1002</b> (e.g., sin⁻¹, csc, and csc⁻¹keys) are suitable for the user <b>210</b> to touch (e.g., single tap) for composing and revising equation information within the equation portion <b>702</b>. For example, in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting (e.g., single tapping) one of the additional keys <b>1002</b>, the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key.

0031Accordingly, the sine key is a parent key, and the additional keys <b>1002</b> are child keys of the sine key. In the illustrative embodiments, the respective operations associated with child keys are logically grouped and related to a respective operation associated with their parent key. By logically grouping the related child keys in that manner, the system <b>100</b> achieves more efficient use of displayable space (on the display device <b>102</b>), so that the display device <b>102</b> hides the child keys until the user <b>210</b> selects their parent key in the particular manner. After the display device <b>102</b> displays the child keys in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting their parent key in the particular manner, the display device <b>102</b> again hides the child keys in response to the user <b>210</b> again touching the display device <b>102</b>.

0032In the illustrative embodiments, a parent key has a distinguishing characteristic (e.g., shared by all parent keys), which visually informs the user <b>210</b> that such key is a parent key (having associated child keys) instead of a non-parent key. In the example of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9 and 10</figref>: (a) the distinguishing characteristic is a horizontal line across a top of such key; and (b) the horizontal line is a particular marking that is shared by all parent keys to visually inform the user <b>210</b> that such keys are parent keys instead of non-parent keys. Among the keys <b>902</b>, parent keys include: (a) the sine key (“sin”), a cosine key (“cos”), and a tangent key (“tan”); (b) an equals key (“=”) and a greater-than key (“>”); (c) x, a, n and r keys; (d) a variable key (“var”) and a pi key (“π”); (e) an open parenthesis key, a closed parenthesis key, and a comma key; and (f) other keys that are likewise indicated by the same distinguishing characteristic. In alternative examples, the distinguishing characteristic is a particular color and/or a particular shape (e.g., shared by all parent keys).

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a flowchart of a first operation of the system <b>100</b>. The first operation is discussed hereinabove in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3-9</figref>. At a step <b>1102</b>, the system <b>100</b> determines whether the user <b>210</b> has selected a window. In response to the user <b>210</b> selecting a window, the operation continues from the step <b>1102</b> to a step <b>1104</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> displays the selected window (e.g., <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>) on the display device <b>102</b>.

0034At a next step <b>1106</b>, the system <b>100</b> determines whether the user <b>210</b> has selected a portion of the displayed window. In response to the user <b>210</b> selecting a portion of the displayed window, the operation continues from the step <b>1106</b> to a step <b>1108</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> displays keys associated with the selected portion, such as: (a) in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the keys <b>502</b> in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting the text portion <b>402</b> of the maximize area window; (b) in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the keys <b>602</b> in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting the graphics portion <b>404</b> of the maximize area window; (c) in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the keys <b>802</b> in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting the remaining (e.g., text) portion of the calculations window; or (d) in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the keys <b>902</b> in response to the user <b>210</b> selecting the equation portion <b>702</b> of the calculations window.

0035At a next step <b>1110</b>, the system determines whether the user <b>210</b> has selected a key. In response to the user <b>210</b> selecting a key, the operation continues from the step <b>1110</b> to a step <b>1112</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected key. After the step <b>1112</b>, the operation returns to the step <b>1102</b>.

0036At the step <b>1102</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not selected a portion of the displayed window, then the operation continues from the step <b>1102</b> to the step <b>1106</b>. At the step <b>1106</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not selected a portion of the displayed window, then the operation continues from the step <b>1106</b> to the step <b>1110</b>. At the step <b>1110</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not selected a key, then the operation returns from the step <b>1110</b> to the step <b>1102</b>.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a flowchart of a second operation of the system <b>100</b>. The second operation is discussed hereinabove in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. At a step <b>1202</b>, the system <b>100</b> determines whether the user <b>210</b> has selected a parent key in the particular manner. In response to the user <b>210</b> selecting a parent key in the particular manner, the operation continues from the step <b>1202</b> to a step <b>1204</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> displays child keys associated with the selected parent key.

0038At a next step <b>1206</b>, the system <b>100</b> determines whether the user <b>210</b> has selected a child key. In response to the user <b>210</b> selecting a child key, the operation continues from the step <b>1206</b> to a step <b>1208</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> performs a respective operation associated with the selected child key. At a next step <b>1210</b>, the system <b>100</b> determines whether the user <b>210</b> has again touched the display device <b>102</b>. In response to the user <b>210</b> again touching the display device <b>102</b>, the operation continues from the step <b>1210</b> to a step <b>1212</b>, at which the system <b>100</b> hides the child keys. After the step <b>1212</b>, the operation returns to the step <b>1202</b>.

0039At the step <b>1202</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not selected a parent key in the particular manner, then the operation continues from the step <b>1202</b> to the step <b>1206</b>. At the step <b>1206</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not selected a child key, then the operation continues from the step <b>1206</b> to the step <b>1210</b>. At the step <b>1210</b>, if the system <b>100</b> determines that the user <b>210</b> has not again touched the display device <b>102</b>, then the operation returns from the step <b>1210</b> to the step <b>1202</b>.

0040In the illustrative embodiments, a computer program product is an article of manufacture that has: (a) a computer-readable medium; and (b) a computer-readable program that is stored on such medium. Such program is processable by an instruction execution apparatus (e.g., system or device) for causing the apparatus to perform various operations discussed hereinabove (e.g., discussed in connection with a block diagram). For example, in response to processing (e.g., executing) such program's instructions, the apparatus (e.g., programmable information handling system) performs various operations discussed hereinabove. Accordingly, such operations are computer-implemented.

0041Such program (e.g., software, firmware, and/or microcode) is written in one or more programming languages, such as: an object-oriented programming language (e.g., C++); a procedural programming language (e.g., C); and/or any suitable combination thereof. In a first example, the computer-readable medium is a computer-readable storage medium. In a second example, the computer-readable medium is a computer-readable signal medium.

0042A computer-readable storage medium includes any system, device and/or other non-transitory tangible apparatus (e.g., electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, semiconductor, and/or any suitable combination thereof) that is suitable for storing a program, so that such program is processable by an instruction execution apparatus for causing the apparatus to perform various operations discussed hereinabove. Examples of a computer-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a portable computer diskette; a hard disk; a random access memory (“RAM”); a read-only memory (“ROM”); an erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM” or flash memory); an optical fiber; a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”); an optical storage device; a magnetic storage device; and/or any suitable combination thereof.

0043A computer-readable signal medium includes any computer-readable medium (other than a computer-readable storage medium) that is suitable for communicating (e.g., propagating or transmitting) a program, so that such program is processable by an instruction execution apparatus for causing the apparatus to perform various operations discussed hereinabove. In one example, a computer-readable signal medium includes a data signal having computer-readable program code embodied therein (e.g., in baseband or as part of a carrier wave), which is communicated (e.g., electronically, electromagnetically, and/or optically) via wireline, wireless, optical fiber cable, and/or any suitable combination thereof.

0044Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described by way of example, a wide range of alternative embodiments is possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure.